A spire for Southwark?
BY FAROUK CAMPBELL
The skyline of Southwark could be graced with a new modern spire. The London Bridge Tower designed by architect Renzo Piano would stand out as one of the tallest structures in Europe. The cost is some �500 million. The design projects the image of a "shard of glass" but is based upon 18th century tall ships and can be compared to one of their sails. A piazza-like culture would transform the area with accessibility and openness of space to the public as well as the integrated way the developers intend to utilise the existing transport networks � by not having an underground car park.
The transparent glass building reflecting the sky would feature a natural radiator in the apex of the structure and a broad casting tower. The spire will house shops, offices, apartments and public areas and have numerous winter gardens as well as the tallest viewing platform in London. It would also adopt other energy saving and environmentally friendly methods in its heating, ventilation and plumbing systems.
The developers claim that they do not want to build just another beautiful edifice remote from its local community and exclusive to itself but hope to create a building that "will implode on itself". Building upwards and within the existing infrastructure of the community, to create wide public access that is inclusive of the local population, is part of the plan unveiled during a launch at Guy's Hospital.
Whether these plans bear fruit remains to be seen. There are many positive aspects to this project but there are also some unanswered questions.
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London Bridge Tower: The Big Debate
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